When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

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In 2013, when Catharine Clark moved her eponymous gallery from 49 Geary to the Potrero Hill area, she gave herself more room to work with, including a dedicated media space that has shown indelible work by such artists as Shalo P ("The Bedroom Suite"), Nina Katchadourian ("In a Room Full of Strangers"), and Andy Diaz Hope and Jon Bernson ("Beautification Machines").

There's no secret to helping you focus better — unless you count Adderall — but studies have shown that listening to music before or while performing a task can improve attention, memory, and even your ability to perform mental math.

Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Classical / Events / Music
S.F. Symphony's Dia de los Muertos Concert: A Perfect Corrective to a Week of Debauchery

Considerations of more a more noble nature aside, it may be that this coming weekend, you'll simply be looking for a little culture in the wake of Halloween (or post-World Series) debauchery. Whatever the case, you'll find it at Davies Symphony Hall on Saturday, where the San Francisco Symphony will host its fifth annual Dia de los Muertos Community Concert.

Yeah, sure, it's "family friendly." Yeah, sure, it takes place during the daytime. But unlike other celebrations of this morbidly joyous Mexican/Catholic holiday, the Symphony offers a concert program of real breadth, featuring collaborations with performing arts institutions from across the Bay Area.

Presented by emcee Luis Valdez (playwright, filmmaker, and founder of El Teatro Campesino), the concert program will include the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra performing Aaron Copland's El Salón México; the Los Lupeños de San José dance company presenting the colorful traditions of baile folklórico; acclaimed Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán performing beloved hits of that storied and under-appreciated genre; and the Grammy-winning San Francisco Symphony Chorus with their arrangements of traditional songs.

For all Californians, the influence of Spanish and Mexican culture surrounds us daily in forms both large and small. We grow up on Mexican cuisine, we live in cities and on streets named by the Spanish, and as fourth-graders, we all learn the history of the Spanish missions. But, somehow, the finer elements of Mexican folklore and music often escape us. Saturday's concert will provide a corrective to those of us who have missed out on these rich, energizing traditions -- the color and swirl of baile folklorico, the passion of mariachi, and, in the work of Copland, a key American interpretation of Mexican folk songs.

The Dia de los Muertos Community Concert takes place Saturday, Nov. 3, at 2 p.m.; pre-concert festivities begin at 1 p.m. at Davies Symphony Hall (Van Ness between Grove and Hayes). See the S.F. Symphony website.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"